There is still “no vision for peace” in Yemen while the Houthis are supported by Iran, despite its proxies weakening in Lebanon and its diminished role in Syria, Yemen's Foreign Minister told The National.
Shaya Zindani said Iran keeps a grip on Yemen that it will not let go of easily. The Houthis benefited from Iranian intelligence, know-how, and training to maintain power in the country's north, where most of the country's population is based.
“Iran will only give up support for the Houthis if it is absolutely forced to,” Mr Zindani said, speaking on the sidelines of the Yemen International Forum in the Jordanian capital Amman on Monday.
Analysts agree that Yemen and the Houthi presence there is of strategic importance to Iran.
In recent years, the Houthis have been able to strike oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, shipping vessels in the UAE, and launched attacks against Israel in the past months.
But just before Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis were inching closer to a peace agreement, brokered by Riyadh, to end the years-long war in Yemen.
The Yemeni government was not party to the deal, which all but fell through when the Houthis began attacking ships on the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in objection to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
Even though the guns have largely fallen silent in Yemen since a truce was agreed in April 2022 and ended in October that same year, Mr Zindani said he considers Yemen to still be in a state of war.
“Yes, there’s a ceasefire and the military activities have largely waned but we don’t see an end to the war any time soon. There isn’t a vision that allows us to say that peace is at the door,” he said.
Mr Zindani said with every passing day, civilians continue to suffer from the consequences of war. But by forging better ties with regional neighbours, the Foreign Ministry hopes to better serve national interests.
“Our work is going well and our relationships are improving day-by-day,” he said, adding that there is a limit to how much can be achieved.
“The government is currently occupied with providing a realistic and acceptable level of services for people – such as in health and education … But the priorities change under the circumstances of war.”
Most of the government institutions and agencies based in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, had moved to the de facto capital Aden, where the internationally recognised government is based.
However, Mr Zindani said more work needs to be done.
“When talking about state institutions, we don't refer to them in their proper, scientific way. Many of them are still being formed … and aren't working with their full potential and capabilities,” he said.
Corruption
One of the biggest issues facing the current government and the eight-member Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) headed by President Rashad Al Alimi, is corruption, Mr Zindani said.
Last month, the PLC revealed investigations into large-scale financial government corruption cases including embezzlement, mishandling of public funds and money laundering.
“There is a culture of corruption, not just a phenomenon,” Mr Zindani said.
“In my estimation, corruption is one of the most important things that prevents the state and government from working.”
As a result, the Foreign Ministry is rebuilding its structure, he said.
“Measures and procedures will be taken to reduce the number of workers in missions abroad to rationalise expenses and reduce the burdens on the government,” he said, bringing its “diplomatic capacity” back to Aden.
Many at the conference, including officials who are represented by members of the PLC, had called for a change in the leadership structure in Yemen in the form of a president and one, or two deputies, since coming to an agreement between eight people has caused the PLC to fail to achieve many of its objectives since its creation three years ago.
“There is a conflict of powers … and shortcomings in the interrelationships between the various bodies of power. There are complexities in decision-making by the authorities,” Mr Al Zindani said.
But despite the deep frustration with the current leadership, whether Yemen is going to see a new ruling system soon remains to be seen.
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
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